Radionics Security System

Keypad Commands for Older Systems

If you have ever used a Radionics security system, you probably know that the older models use a series of commands to perform various functions. These control how the system is armed and disarmed, programming functions, panic alarms, and more.

Panels using this format include the Radionics D8112, D6112, and D4112,
and use keypads like the D420, D620, 626, 630, and 636, D1252, D1255,
and others.

For years these commands remained consistent throughout the entire line
of Radionics alarms. This consistent format meant that once customers
(and installers) learned the commands for one Radionics model, they
could use the same commands on any other model.

More recent models of Radionics alarm systems have strayed from this
command structure, which I think was a mistake. Having a set of "standard" commands just seems to make good sense to me.

In any case, this page
explains what the more popular original commands are, and how to use
them.

As always, I recommend you also get a copy of the Radionics
alarm manual for both your main panel and the keypads
that are installed in your home. For help finding a manual, see this page on Radionics alarm manual sources.

Note:

These functions only work on keypads having a “COMMAND” bar or a “CMD” button.

Radionics Security System Keypad Commands

Command 1 – Arm All

Arms both perimeter and interior
protection, and provides delay time for entry/exit zones. Used when
leaving the home with no people or pets remaining inside.

Command 2 – Arm Instant

Arms
perimeter protection only, with no delay time on entry/exit zones.
Typically used to arm at night while staying home, and no other family
members are expected to arrive home.

Command 3 – Arm Delay

Like
Command 2, arms perimeter protection only, but preserves delay time for
entry/exit zones. Used to arm at night while staying home, and other
family members are expected to arrive home later.

Command 8 – Arm Partial

Arms
perimeter protection only, with delays on entry/exit zones, AND
bypasses any open perimeter zones. This is used when a bad door or
window contact prevents the system from arming with any of the other
commands.

Note:

The above functions of these four arming commands describe
“typical” Radionics security system operation. In other words, this is
what they do “right out of the box”.

The installing alarm company may have programmed some zones to behave differently than the above basic descriptions.

Command 4

For
most models of Radionics security system, Command 4 can be followed by
other digits to perform diagnostic functions. Command 40, for
instance, will display the first of up to four trouble conditions in the
trouble event buffer on 6112 and related systems. Command 40 can then
be entered 3 more times to display the remaining trouble conditions in
the buffer, if there are more than one.

Check the burglar alarm manuals
for your specific Radionics security system and keypad for detailed use
of other Command 4 functions.

Command 5 – Code Programming

For 4112 and 6112 systems, Command 5 is used to reprogram a code. The format is:

Command 5

(Old code) Enter

(New code) Enter

(New code) Enter

The new code must be entered twice, and both entries
must match or the code will revert back to the old value. (Note that
some keypads may have an “ENT” key rather than “ENTER”.)

For the 8112 Radionics system, code changes are started by entering Command 55.
Since code changes on the 8112 can be tricky, please refer to the
detailed instructions in the D1252, D1255, or other Keypad User Manual.

Command 6 – Perimeter Watch Mode

Toggles the Watch Mode on and off. This is known as the
“Chime” feature on other brands of alarm system, and it causes the
keypads to emit a sound when any perimeter zone is faulted. Depending on
the model of Radionics security system, this sound can be a long or
short beep, or a pulse of rapid chirps.

Command 7 – Special

This is typically used as a 24-hour feature. It will sound the
sirens and keypads, and transmit a “fire panic” signal to the central
station for systems that report to an alarm monitoring service.

Command 9 – Police Panic

This is a 24-hour police panic button. Typically,
this sounds the sirens and keypads, and sends a “police panic” signal to
the central station for systems using home alarm monitoring.

The
behavior of both Command 7 and Command 9 functions can be changed
through system programming, and the specific fire and police response
(if any) can be controlled through special instructions in the central
station automation software.

Command 0 – Bypass a Point

Command 00 – Unbypass a Point

These two allow you to selectively bypass and unbypass individual points on a Radionics security system. They were rarely used in most installations, since the most common need for bypassing was a faulted point due to a bad switch or mis-aligned magnet. In this case, it’s simpler to use Command 8 to allow arming around the faulted point until service can be arranged.

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